Key Words and Expressions:
1.
Author.
The word "author" in He-
brews 12:2 is from a Greek word which
means "leader," "chief," "founder," "origi-
nator." The r
eeks used this word in desig-
nating the head progenitor of a clan, of
heroes, and as a divine name for Apollo.
Christ is the "founder," or "source" of our
faith. He is also its "finisher," or "com-
pleter."
2.
Temptation.
In the Greek New Tes-
tament this word always means "test,"
"trial," "affliction," "trouble," an "entice-
ment" to sin. In addition to "temptation"
in the usual sense it includes such trials and
tests as sickness, persecution, poverty, and
calamity of various kinds. God tests a per-
son in order to strengthen and develop
character, whereas Satan confronts a man
with tests in order to break down and de-
stroy character.
3.
Take No Thought.
The Greek ex-
pression means literally, "to care for," "to
be anxious," "to be troubled [with cares],"
"to think earnestly upon." In old English
"to take thought" meant "to be anxious"
about something, that is, "to worry"
about it.
4.
Substance
and
Evidence.
The Greek
word translated "substance" means literally,
"substantial nature," "essence," "actual be-
ing," "reality," and in an extended sense as
in Hebrews 11:1, "confident assurance."
The word translated "evidence" means
"proof," "conviction." Genuine faith rests
upon a firm underlying "substance" of suf-
ficient evidence to warrant confidence in
what is not yet seen. In the ancient papyri
hupostasis
is used of the legal documents
by which a person could prove ownership
of property. The documents were not the
property, but they provided evidence of its
existence and of his right to it. Faith is our
"title deed" to what God has promised.
THE LESSON
Introduction
Faith Based on Evidence:
"God never
asks us to believe, without giving sufficient
evidence upon which to base our faith. His
existence, His character, the truthfulness
of His word, are all established by testi-
mony that appeals to our reason; and this
testimony is abundant. Yet God has never
removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith
must rest upon evidence, not demonstration.
Those who wish to doubt will have oppor-
tunity; while those who really desire to
know the truth will find plenty of evidence
on which to rest their
faith."—Steps to
Christ,
1956 and pocket eds., p. 105.
What Faith Is
1.
What is the measure of our ca-
pacity to receive the boundless bless-
ings of heaven? Matt. 9:29.
2.
How does the New Testament
define faith? Heb. 11:1. Compare
Matt. 21:21.
NOTE.—"Faith looks beyond the difficul-
ties, and lays hold of the unseen, even
Omnipotence, therefore it cannot be baf-
fled. Faith is the clasping of the hand of
Christ in every emergency."—Gospel
Work-
ers,
page 262.
"Genuine faith is life. A living faith
means an increase of vigor, a confiding
trust, by which the soul becomes a conquer-
ing power."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 347.
3.
To what do the New Testament
writers compare faith? Why is this
comparison appropriate? Eph. 6:16;
1 Thess. 5:8.
4.
Why is faith essential? Heb. 11:
6. Compare Rom. 1:17; 5:2.
NOTE.—"God never leads His children
otherwise than they would choose to be
led, if they could see the end from the be-
ginning, and discern the glory of the pur-
pose which they are fulfilling as coworkers
with
Him."—The Desire of Ages,
pages 224,
225.
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